A Cape Coral man found dead on the side of a road Monday was a victim of a home invasion robbery earlier this month and was facing drug charges.

The body of Christopher Mark Brothers, 50, formerly of 2549 Shelby Parkway and 603 S.E. 46th Lane, Apt. 701, was discovered at about 8:58 a.m. in the area of West 18th Street and Edison Avenue in Lehigh Acres.

According to a report, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call about a man lying next to the road. A person reported finding the body.

Brothers was pronounced dead on scene.

The LCSO Major Crimes Unit is investigating the death as a homicide. No specific details as to the manner of death were released Wednesday.

An autopsy was scheduled to determine the cause of death.

Days before Brothers was found dead, he had apparently moved into the residence at 603 S.E. 46th Lane. A neighbor stated that a couple living there told him that they had let Brothers move in because they felt bad for him.

He said the couple told him that Brothers left one day, then the next thing they knew the police were at their door about his body being discovered.

The couple could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

On Aug. 8, Brothers was arrested by the Cape police in connection to an undercover operation. He was booked on opium or derivative sell, heroin sell and two counts of drug possess controlled substance without prescription.

He was released from the Lee County Jail on Aug. 22 on $13,000 bond.

According to CCPD officials, detectives had been investigating possible drug sales at Brothers’ residence on Shelby Parkway for the past two months.

“Undercover detectives purchased narcotics from Brothers on several occasions during that time,” Lt. Tony Sizemore previously reported.

At about 7 p.m. Aug. 8, detectives executed a search warrant at the residence. Brothers was taken into custody and transported to the jail.

The day before, Brothers was a victim of a home invasion robbery.

According to an incident report, Brothers arrived home at approximately 8:30 p.m. Aug. 7 and began to make dinner. He soon heard loud knocking at his front door. As he approached the door, it swung open without warning.

Two men standing in the doorway demanded money from Brothers.

He stated that he was attacked immediately by the men and then dragged into his bedroom. The two again demanded money from Brothers and he gave them his wallet, which contained $500 in cash. The men then fled the home.

Brothers reported that he was beaten during the entire incident, and he was beat more when he tried to flee. His cell phone went missing in the incident.

A friend of Brothers arrived at the home as the robbery took place.

According the report, he stopped by to hang out and watch TV. As he approached the front door, he saw it was open and heard unknown voices coming from inside. One person was demanding money from Brothers.

Realizing what was happening, he ran to the car and called 911.

As the man reapproached the home, he saw two men fleeing the scene.

He then entered the residence in an effort to help Brothers.

Police noted on the report that Brothers had been badly beaten to the head and body, but he refused to be transported to the hospital for treatment.

Anyone with information on the homicide is asked to contact the LCSO at 477-1000. To remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward up to $1,000, you can call Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers at (800) 780-TIPS (8477).

Tips can also be made at: www.swflcrimestoppers.org, via text to CRIMES (274637) using the keyword “REWARD” or through the TipSubmit app.